Unlike some brands (such as Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz) whose name is almost synonymous with Diesel engines, Honda has always had a “distant relationship” with this type of engine. Now, the Japanese brand plans to abandon these engines by 2021 and, according to the calendar, the Civic should be one of the last models to use this type of engine.
Faced with this imminent disappearance, we tested one of the “last of the Mohicans” in the Honda range and put the Civic 1.6 i-DTEC equipped with the new nine-speed automatic transmission.
Aesthetically, one thing is certain, the Civic does not go unnoticed. Be it the saturation of stylistic elements or the look of a “fake sedan”, wherever the Japanese model passes by, it captures attention and motivates opinions (although not always positive).
Driving a diesel-powered Civic is like watching a game of old football glories.
Inside the Honda Civic
Once inside the Civic, the first sensation is one of confusion. This is due to improved ergonomics, the best examples of which are the (confused) gearbox control (I challenge you to find out how to put the reverse gear), the cruise control commands and even the various menus of the speed system. infotainment.
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Speaking of infotainment, although the screen has very reasonable dimensions, it's a pity the poor quality of the graphics that, in addition to not being aesthetically appealing, are still confusing to navigate and understand, requiring considerable time to get used to.
But if aesthetically the Civic doesn't deny its Japanese origins, the same also happens with the build quality, which is presented at a very good level. , not only when we talk about materials, but also about assembly.
As for space, the Civic comfortably transports four passengers and is still capable of carrying a lot of luggage. Highlight for the ease with which you get in and out of the car, despite the roof design (especially in the rear section) allows us to foresee another scenario.
The luggage compartment offers 478 l of capacity.
At the wheel of the Honda Civic
When we sit behind the wheel of the Civic, we are presented with a low and comfortable driving position that encourages us to explore the dynamic capabilities of the Japanese model's chassis. It's just a pity the poor rear visibility (the spoiler in the rear window doesn't help).
Already on the move, everything about the Civic seems to ask us to take it onto a curvy road. From the suspension (with a firm but not uncomfortable setting) to the chassis, passing through direct and precise steering. Well, I mean, not everything, as the 1.6 i-DTEC engine and nine-speed automatic transmission prefer long runs on the highway.
There, the Civic takes advantage of the Diesel engine and has low consumption, around 5.5 l/100 km revealing remarkable stability and enjoying a Lane Assist system that really…watches rather than trying to take you out of control of the car, being a good ally when driving at higher speeds on winding highways.
Driving a diesel-powered Civic is like watching a game of old football glories. We know that the talent is there (in this case the chassis, the steering and the suspension) but basically something is lacking, whether it's “legs” in the case of footballers or an engine and gear suited to the Civic's dynamic capabilities.
Is the car right for me?
Unless you drive a lot of kilometers a year, it's hard to justify choosing a Civic Diesel with 120hp and a long nine-speed automatic transmission over the petrol version with the 1.5 i-VTEC Turbo and the six-manual gearbox speeds that allow you to enjoy much more of the dynamic capabilities of the Civic.
It's not that the engine/box combination lacks competence (in fact, in terms of consumption they offer very good numbers), however, given the dynamic capabilities of the chassis, they always end up “knowing little”.
Well-built, comfortable and spacious, the Civic is a good choice for those who want a C-segment compact that stands out aesthetically from the rest (and the Civic stands out a lot) and dynamically competent.